Gail's trial Jacket and Cape.

The Jacket...

The stages of assembling the cut out pattern. Made in Dark Green Faux Suede with double back darts, front bust darts and sleeve darts.

Checking all the pattern pieces are correct and have the necessary darts sewn.

Then sewing the front and neck facings, the front darts then sewing the fronts to the back.

Assembling the sleeves before sewing the sleeves onto the jacket.

Completed Jacket.

And now the Cape...

The cape made from sequinned organza in a Dark Fushia colour.

All the cut out pieces are laid out to be checked then the front darts sewn, the facings sewn before the garment is assembled to the finished product. A Frog closure is added at the top to complete the cape.

...Of course I did get some help from my little fur Angel Honie Princess... She sits right next to me watching that I am sewing all the seams straight and listening to some relaxing music as we sew.

Sewing for friends

Having fractured both my arms after slipping on gum nuts on a walk home from Marion shopping centre I appreciate just how much I had taken my arms - fully functional, for granted... being one who thrives on using my hands for all sorts of crafts and sewing, knitting and crocheting... noticed how I did not say anything about using my hands for cooking????

I was so glad aftertwo weeks of not being able to move them (let alone use them) to be able to once again sit at my sewing machine and sew something... My parents choofing off on a cruise to India and South Africa was a great excuse to sew something... anything!!! So I made my Mother a few outfits... seven garments in all... two satin dresses and five jackets to mix and match with the dresses.

As they are having several formal dinners (and some with the Captain) then something special was called for so I set to work and loved it. See Photos below.....

Now I amall excited about being able to sew a few things for my friend Gail so today I spent most of the day drafting the patterns for the jacket and the cape. Looking forward to tomorrow when I start to cut the patterns out from material and start sewing... on cheepy fabric so I can assess the fit, then once I know the garment will fit well then I can go ahead with making the proper jacket and cape... see the pattern drafts below...

Once that is all finished I do some sewing for my other friend Dianne who is off to Asia this July...

Finally I can sew something for myself for Brennie's and Annelise's wedding... not allowed to have any crushed velvet according to Alan... dagnabbit!!!

OK so now I am 50!!!

It's been a week already since I've had my 50th birthday dinner and it was everything I had hoped it would be. A big thank you to all my friends and family who came, for all the lovely gifts and messages received and for all the wonderful moments that made my birthday and especially the night one to remember... pressies are still arriving from overseas so the fun is still continuing... Wooo Hooo!!!

My closest friends and family were there to share the special night and despite the dramas before hand with the shocker of a meal served by another restaurant already booked for the occasion we had enough time to change venues without too much hassle.

With all that had happened in my life health wise I had not expected to see this milestone so to reach it there has been much contemplation about where I have been and especially where I go from here... and there is one thing I have learned over the past 50 years "The universe does have a sense of humour and it is futile to try and take control of your life... they have plans already for me so I just need to get in, buckle up, shut up and hang on!!!"

After having two angels visit me (in the shape of Matt and Kelly) and giving me a wonderful new direction and challenge to kick start my next 50 years off I am now venturing on a new career as a Civil Celebrant!!! Who would have thought I would ever contemplate marrying people for a living but after speaking to Mattymoo and Kelly angel and doing a little research, as well as numerous people telling me I would be perfect as a Celebrant, the idea fit like hand in glove.

Now I am studying for the next seven months before I apply to the Attorney General's department for my license... then we are off to Singapore for Christmas and New Year's... Life is never dull!

If this is the start of things to come then the next 50 years are going to be great!!!!